Africa has not been left out of the global surge of hip hop music and culture; and the strong presence of rap music/hip hop popularly known as hiplife in the nominations for the 11th Annual Ghana Music Awards proves the growing impact on Ghanaian music.

The nominations were announced on February 26, and Sarkodie, touted as the fastest rapper led the pack with 8 nominations including artist of the year and song of the year. Fellow hiplife artists Ayigbe Edem, 4X4, and Bradez had 6, 5 and 5 nominations respectively.

The well attended event that saw performances from the likes of Kwabena Kwabena, Gyedu Blay Ambolley, Celestine Donkor, Ohemaa Mercy and Wutah ended up with the big reveal of nominees. The complete list of nominees is as follows:

Artist of the year

4x4

Wutah

Ohemaa Mercy

Sarkodie

Becca

Bradez

Most popular song of the year

Kotosa by Wutah

Baby by Sarkodie

Simple byBradez

Aseda by Ernest Opoku

World Trade Center by 4x4

Discovery of the year

DSP Kofi Sarpong

Mimi

Sarkodie

Ayigbe Edem

OJ Blaq

Hip hop /hiplife song of the year

Kasiebo by Obrafour

The Game by Obour

Ringtone by Tinny

You Dey Craze by Ayigbe Edem

Breathe by Kweku T & D Black

Baby by Sarkodie

Hip hop/hiplife artist of the year

Sarkodie

4x4

Bradez

Ayigbe Edem

Tinny

Gospel Song of the year

Ensie wo yie Diana Hamilton

Okyeso Nyame Florence Obinim

Aseda Ernest Opoku

Wo Beye Kesse Ohemaa Mercy

Ayeyi Ndwom DSP Kofi Sarpong

Supernatural Celestine Donkor

Gospel Artist of the year

Ohema Mercy

Celestine Donkor

Florence Obinim

Ernest Opoku

DSP Kofi Sarpong

Highlife song of the year

Afia Donkor by Kofi B

Daa Ke Daa by Becca

Sika by Daddy Lumba

Kotosa by Wutah

Born to win by King David

Highlife artist of the year

Kofi B

Daddy Lumba

Kofi Nti

King David

Afro-pop Song of the year

Run away by Irene Logan

World Trade Center by 4x4

Swagger by Ruff &Smooth

Simple by Bradez

I think I like Am by VIP

Reggae Song of the year

Jah will be there by Wutah

Adiepena by Kojo Antwi

Mama Africa by Black Prophet

Best Collaboration of the year

Run Away by Irene & Asem

Baby by Sarkodie & Mugeez

The Game by Obour & Okyeame Kwame

You dey Craze by Edem/Sarkodie/Kwaw Kesse

Kasiebo by Obrafour & Guru

Best Rapper of the year

Sarkodie

Obrafour

Kwaku T

Edem

Bradez

Tinny

African artiste of the year

Bracket- Nigeria

Wande Coal- Nigeria

Flavour- Nigeria

Midnight Crew – Nigeria

Jozi- South Africa

Record of the year

Burning Desire- Wutah

Daa Ke Daa- Becca

Run Away – Irene Logan and Asem

Love Zone- Jon Germain

Nyonorvidade – Ayigbe Edem

Album of the Year

Sika – Daddy Lumba

Makye- Sarkodie

Burning desire- Wutah

World Trade Center- 4x4

Volta Regime- Ayigbe Edem

Song writer of the year

Daa ke Daa- Kwabena Akwaboa Jnr

Burning Desire- Wutah

Run Away- Asem

Adiepena- Kojo Antwi

Kasiebo- Obrafour

Best Male Vocal performance

PV of Wutah

Kwasie Pee

Kofi B

Ernest Opoku Jnr

Kojo Antwi

Best Female Vocal Performance

Becca

Irene Logan

Cynthia of Daughter of Glorious Jesus

Celestine Donkor

Ohemaa Mercy

Winners would be announced at the Ghana Music Awards ceremony slated for the Accra Conference Centre (Dome) on Saturday April 10. Other industry awards on the night would include: best music video, traditional artist of the year, instrumentalist of the year, MUSIGA merit award, producer of the year and the World Bank best music for development.

The Ghana Music Awards would be marked by a number of activities leading to the main event. This includes awards dialogue and workshop, nominees jam at Takoradi Polytechnic Park on March 6.